Alexander blinked looking around in the waning light. The camp was exactly as they had found it. Neither a flap nor grain if sand was out if place. None of the dunes had changed shape and there was not a single foot print or depression in the sands between the tents. Cursing himself he extended his hand upwards and focused, he couldn't expend too much power if he was right thus he tentatively released his [Rot] spell, feeling the spell eating at... something.
As Alexander focused on his spell the rest of the caravan was shocked. The pristine camp was melting away around them replaced with torn and bloodied remnants. Corpses in thick robes littered the sands here and there not to mention the guards were no longer alone. Ringing them were several hulking creatures an easy three meters tall. The colors of their bodies varied from a soft tan, almost the shade of the sand, to a vibrant a lush dark green. The former were more numerous and made up the majority of the creatures surrounding them while the latter numbered only a half dozen. Gunther, Viv and the other two were currently in the clutches of these figures. Viv was alive but naked, being roughly pawed by the largest of the things. The three guards looked like they had been beaten badly.
And they were monsters indeed. Along with their large size each of the tan creatures were thickly muscled while the dark green were more slender. The only really common feature was each had a long serpentine neck ending in just that, the head of a snake. The tan ones resembled rattle snakes while the dark green each had additional hoods giving them a cobra like appearance. With the dissolving of the illusion both forces looked at each other in surprise, though the human force were quicker to take action, the nearest tan snake things were lashed out at, blades finding inhuman bodies in the shock their little trap had been uncovered, the dark green ones hissed at their counter parts as the warriors formed ranks.
The mercenaries, while surprised, were quick to lash out at the surrounding snake men, while four of their number were helpless before the things the rest had no intention of rolling over for the things. Alexander however was staring at the one that was still pawing the female guard, Viv. To his eyes this large serpent man didn't seem one single bit concerned that the trap had been sprung prematurely, in fact he continued his touching of the helpless female like the other beings were no threat what so ever. This in itself told him these things were hiding another ace. The rattler colored ones seemed to be an even match for the mercy so it would be the cobras where surprises laid.
He did not have to wait long. One of the leaders slid forward, the cobra man was more a human sized snake than a bipedal humanoid with a snake head. This one lacked legs and seemed more a serpent that had evolved a muscled torso and arms. Looking over the caravan it gave a low rumbling hiss, "Sssurrender, you hereticsss are sssurrounded. There isss no essscape. Lay down your weaponsss and we ssshall be merciful. Do not, and you ssshall only die all the fassster."
The merchant frowned glancing amongst themselves, they were badly outnumbered now, survival was appearing bleak as the cobra continued, "Which of you isss the leader?"
There was some cursing and fighting but two of the merchants quickly grabbed the merchant and pushed him forward. The fat man nervously dipped into a bow, "Dear... sir. I am sure we can come to an arrangement that would see both of us benefiting can we not?"
Before the man could continue the long nailed hand of the cobra rose cutting off the coming offer, "I need asssk you one quessstion. You are he that bringsss toolsss and weaponsss, to the forcesss here correct?"
The pudgy merchant swallowed nervously then steeled himself, his eyes hardened as he nodded snarling back, "That's right I'm very important for the supply chain to the south by hijacking..." Before the man could continue the cobras jaws snapped open, long fangs glistened in the sunlight as a purplish glob erupted from the serpents maw. Like a loosed crossbow bolt the spit flew through the air from its open maw to land directly between the merchants flapping lips. The man squealed, falling back on his fat ass, hands reaching up to grab his thick throat as he began to kick and scream.
The mercenaries glanced over and gaped in shock, much of the man's lips were already a bloody mess, his flesh melting under the venomous and likely highly acidic spit. The merchant screamed welly as the hiss of the ooze ate directly through his jaw and teeth and began to dissolve his tongue. Those shocked, pain filled eyes bulged as the fat man continued to kick and gurgle, his movements slowing before the body laid silent, twitching a bit. From where he stood, Alexander could see the ooze leaking through the back of the man's dissolved throat, blood, melted flesh and slurry of liquefied bone pooled under the merchants body as the spit continued to sizzle on the ground under him.
The cobra casually reached up wiping its lips clear, "You talk too much. You we do not need to bring back, for your crimesss there isss only death. Who isss now in command?"
Most turned to look at Melissa who looked around worried, slowly stepping forward she looked at the cobra, "I am, I am..." Before she could continue ones of the rattler had darted forward back handing the priestess sending her to the ground.
The cobra hissed in mirth, "Correction. HE isss in charge. You are all now ssslavesss of General Hovasss. Drop your weaponsss or die where you ssstand. Thisss isss your only warning." The cobra thumbed, gesturing towards the larger cobra who had been roughly fondling the guard woman Viv. Lifting its head it hissed and the group of serpent people who were prepared to attack. Winston and Watson had moved to support Melissa as the two sides prepared for conflict, yet the humans were like scared geese, milling about uncertain of just how to fight back with their boss dead and Melissa obviously being looked down on.
Hidden at the center Laytalya stood close to Alexander, her blade trembling slightly in her grip as she eyed the large cobra like serpent man in the distance. Alexander himself was stock still, observing the rising tensions. At this point there was not much the surrounded caravan could do to survive, the serpents out numbered them and had them surrounded. The question remained if they were more proficient than the guards and mercenaries, but he could tell at a glance that that particular question was moot, without the boss to pay for their swords the guards and mercs seemed more self interested than fighting as a cohesive unit. Each looking for an opportunity to escape and save their own skin.
Frowning, Alexander touched Laytalya's shoulder as he raised his voice, "Drop your weapons! We surrender!"
The guards heads snapped towards the one who spoke with such sudden, jarring force one could swear the lot would receive whiplash. The looks of rage and incredulity suffused each face thoroughly, even Melissa's shocked countenance stared at Alexander like she could not believe what he spoke. A guard nearby snarled back, "Who are you to speak for us you damn bastard?! We should fight back while we can!" Others surrounding the man nodded their agreeance but Alexander shook his head.
"The one in charge has not hurt your friend." As he motioned towards where Viv knelt trying to cover her bare body. "These are military slavers, not random bandits. Our safety is pretty much assured as long as we do not fight back. I suspect the trio there were injured for just this reason?" His eyes found the second in commands serpentine eyes.
The cobra hissed and nodded slowly, "Thisss isss ssso. They resssisssted and were punissshed."
Alexander glanced around, "Lower your weapons. Unlike what he claimed none of us will die here, their job is to capture, for whatever purpose better to go healthy than dragged bloodied and bruised. Either way they'll still take you. Better to save your strength."
The cobra who served as speaker gave a raspy chuckle, "Alwaysss handy having a sssmart ssslave who knowsss what isss what. That ssslave ssspeaksss true, you are all our property from today forward. Obey, and your life will not be too bad. Defy, and we will take you anyway. Jussst meansss we drag you acrossss the sssandsss."
Alexander nodded squeezing Laytalya's shoulder, "Drop your weapons, this is not the time to fight." The guards and mercenaries frowned, they wanted to fight back but had to admit the discussion made sense. Surrounded as they were, the chances of breaking free were slim and even if they succeeded where could they escape to? They sought the oasis for water, to run out into the dunes without such and without food or mounts essentially was suicide. After all a desert was not the plains or forest, there was nothing to forage. There was no natural shelter. There was nothing to hunt. Just miles and miles of scorching hot sand ready to swallow their carcass.
Grumbling weapons started to fall to the ground, the serpents quickly moving forward to collect them. Some shuffles broke out where one or two thought to resist anyways but true to Alexander's words the serpents focused on disarming them then punishing the offenders with a vicious beating. With weapons collected and examples made of, the cobra that had spoke divided them up females in one group, males in another. Rope was secured around each person's wrists and neck down the line, anyone seeking to pull away would likely have to strangle the one before and/or behind if they resisted. The cobra serpentman eyed Alexander strangely when he was bound, first if all due to his unique pigmentation but more due to the removal of his glove revealing the skeletal wrist.
Once the slave caravan was formed the rattlers formed a box around the strings of men and women, the large leader guided the female train while the speaker guided the men. Many expected to be whipped or starved as they marched out into the sandy wastes but time told a different tale. While the serpents were by no means friendly they neither mistreated their cargo nor deprived them of food or water. That was not to say everything was sunshine and rainbows though. There were still a few who tried to resist. Those that tried to be smarter than they were. The serpents simply ensure the troublemakers didn't enjoy their rest breaks. Where most stopped to eat, drink or sleep, the troublemakers were beaten or forced to dig sand pits to excise them of that troublesome energy.
Alexander did his best to keep a low profile, yet the speaker constantly watched him. While many considered him a coward for surrendering the cobra obviously was aware of Alexander's true motives. While they were surrounded by the full force escape was impossible, but now with less rattlers around it made for a more likely time to try escaping. Then there was that skeletal hand, the cobra's eyes were usually studying it, observing how easily Alexander moved it just like his flesh and blood limb. The speaker seemed very interested in this individual for sure, compared to the usual slaves this one was unique and would surely fetch a high price, it might not be female but it was certainly a rarity which was just as valuable.
For the speaker it had never seen such a pale slave. For as many they had caught, none had ever had flesh like this. Then there was the hand, at first glance one might think the slave was undead but a test cut on the flesh had revealed the slave still bled, so it wasn't a well maintained animated body. Unique features and intelligent. Truly a prize amongst so many laborers. The only question was how to sell it for the most profit? Well, first it would need to survive the journey...